I have been using lens for quite some time. I have always had this left side panel for pinning favourite clusters for quick access. And since last week it has been missing. I am not sure if my lens got auto updated and if this is missing in the recent versions.
Current version: Lens: 2025.10.230725-latest
Not really sure if my lens got updated to this october build and then this panel vanished. I do remember having the june and august builds earlier where this panel was present.
Need help with understanding how I can get this back.
It wasn’t my intention to answer my own question, but by the time the post was approved I had already found the root cause. Adding my findings here for anyone who may find it helpful.
It turns out the left-side hotbar was never intended to be available for free users. I came across this comment in the September 2025 release notes, which explains that the earlier versions I was using (up to the August 2025 build) still showed the hotbar due to an issue. That behavior has now been “fixed” in the newer releases, which is why the panel disappeared after the update.
Hello @saikrishna.jupally,
Thank you for reaching out to Lens Forum!
Is your issue was resolved? Our dev team is working out on your request already.
Stand by for further updates.
Best Regards,
Tikhon Kudinov
Lens Support Engineer
Mirantis, Inc
Hey @tkudinov
Yes. The issue is resolved. Thanks!